Did I mention this great video which teaches discernment concerning these things. The speaker shows a video clip & then teaches how what was seen is not scriptural. I knew it, but he gives clarity to our understanding.

There it is in plain English. When sharing with someone concerning the Baptism, it says: And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Is it possible that the problem with certain scriptures which we can't seem to fully grasp is because the translators in translating from the available Greek/Aramaic manuscripts didn't translate it correctly? I'm sure not a scholar, nor have I had the opportunity to see the documents used, but I've been told that the available writings used by Wycliffe and Tyndale weren't as complete as that available 400 years later.(Dead Sea Scrolls hadn't been discovered yet) Some scholars today say that certain of the Dead Sea Scrolls are much older that what Tyndale used to complete the first English Bible. Several translations state that Mark 16:9-20 isn't found in those older copies of manuscripts, along with other passages.

I don't know, but if it's true that the English translation by Tyndale, which is from 65% to 90% word for word found in the King James, and the manuscripts he had available were several hundred years newer than the Dead Sea Scrolls, then it just seems like the older manuscripts would be closer to the original language used and translated, and thereby more accurate.

Just something to think about, not trying to be labeled a heretic or come against the KJV (which is the bible I use).

James,

I don't know much concerning the original translations, but it would appear they would be the most accurate. It's hard to believe that someone down through history just decided to add verses to Mark 16:, but you never know.

The other gospels don't give this information (taking up serpents and drinking poison), that Jesus quoted before He ascended. You would think if anyone was there present whatever His parting words were, that they would accurately record them.

The other gospels don't give this information (taking up serpents and drinking poison), that Jesus quoted before He ascended. You would think if anyone was there present whatever His parting words were, that they would accurately record them.

Remember there are several things that are only written about by one of the writers. Matthew is the only one who mentioned Jesus being taken to Egypt until Herod had died. One traced Jesus' genealogy from Abraham forward unto Jesus (Matthew) and another went from Jesus backwards to Adam (Luke). Mark has accounts of Jesus mentioned by none of the other three. John delivers unto us the 'meat' of the message, not even going into the birth and early years of Jesus. But reading all four together gives us exactly what knowledge and information God wants us to have and everything necessary unto salvation and a relationship with Him through Jesus. He gives good news, The Gospel.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Remember there are several things that are only written about by one of the writers. . . But reading all four together gives us exactly what knowledge and information God wants us to have . . .

Thats a good point James.

I bookmarked that Last Reformation movie & the Kundalini one. I'll catch them later when I have time.

William that is quite q pic of your brother. I should look for something like that for a profile pic here.

My take on serpents and poison is this. I think it is just the KJV way of saying God will protect us. There was a bro from FA (can't remember his name) who ministered in Belize. He was up in our church here once and told of one of his kids there stepping right on a poisonous snake. The snake didn't do anything. Another situation of a minister I know on his way up here once someone put poison in his food. He had to overcome it a bit but came to no harm.

I think it means God will simply protect us. It says that everywhere else in the word. In this passage it is just a little more specific.

Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

I ran across an interesting statement in Luke's gospel, it made me think maybe there is more here then what anyone has realized.

In Luke's gospel we find Jesus telling us:

Luke 10:18-20

18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

This verse sheds a little light concerning having authority to trample on serpents and scorpions. He is referring to the comment made by the disciples returning from going out into the world around them to minister:

17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

Jesus is clearly tying in deliverance to this statement; I give you authority to trample on serpents. In Mark's gospel were told they will take up serpents, but it does say before this that they will cast out demons. Somehow I believe taking up serpents and casting out demons are tied together.

The people in this world are bound with sin, involved in the occult and because of this have open doors to the powers of darkness. All mankind is plagued with the demonic realm working against them. In Christ we are delivered from sin by the shedding of His Blood at Calvary and we have been given authority over the demonic realm, but there is still a war going on in the heavenlies.

In this modern world of technology in which we find ourselves we must not forget that there are entities trying to destroy what God has done. There is a war being waged in the spirit realm.

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

It says; the rulers of the "darkness" of this age, against spiritual "hosts" of wickedness etc.

I'm not ruling out anything anyone shared here concerning this subject, but trying to make some clear sense of the statement given in Mark's gospel. In other words; taking up serpents may be dealing with deliverance and the demonic realm. I also think that the drinking any deadly thing in Mark and the reference in Luke concerning with "nothing shall by any means hurt you", has something to do with this same line of thinking.

I realize DawgDriver mentions this is all yet future to be fulfilled and I believe what he said, is possible. But this verse, in the context it was written, says; 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: Believers in our present time are told this will follow their ministries.

In order to come to some conclusion with being able to witness to believers, who do not have the Baptism with speaking with tongues, I don't know if we tell them that this verse is for the future, will win them over to wanting to receive this experience. This would be the perfect division of interpretation (for them), tongues is for the past, taking up serpents is for the future.

I'm sure all scripture was given so those who have eyes to see and hears to hear can understand what the Lord intended for His people. There may be hidden mysteries in scriptures that will be revealed as the end times unfolds, concerning Revelations, some prophecies and parables. But God has told us that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth.

While Jesus walked on the earth, in a number of places in scripture we see where, He is talking with His disciples and it says; they did not understand, it wasn't till the Lord opened their understanding was they able to perceive what He meant.

Luke 24:45
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

John 14:22-24

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

The Words Jesus spoke will judge men in the last day.

Modern man questions that Jesus is God or that there is a God, making it convenient not to obey what Jesus has clearly taught in His Word. They then excuse themselves from having to acknowledge their sins. But no matter what men say they will give account one day to God the Father for why they rejected His Words.

In light of what we see with all the turmoil across this land, one may ask the question is everyone protesting just because of a political divide? I have never seen a generation of people so vocal against a new administration as we see today.

Maybe it has gone on before but never surfaced on the level that we see today. I believe people feel threatened in their sin and they want a government telling them that what they are doing is okay. Murdering helpless babies by the thousands, accepting sodomite marriages, living in open fornication, etc.

John the Baptist did not hesitate to tell Herod what he thought about his sinful marriage relationship.

I always did not know if revival would come again to this country but I feel now that the possibility is at hand and that Christians may have a small opening in time to pray in the next great revival that we have been told will come.

With the 24/7 coverage by all types media outlets available today, anyone with almost any type of communication device can be exposed to what seems like more, but I don't think what's going on today is that much more than the late 60's and early 70's. People still wanting to live like they want without any regards to God's Word. Boycotts and protests were popular back then (remember the Montgomery bus boycotts of the late 50's <Rosa Parks>?); and the left wing activist, Hollywood liberals, and politicians who boycotted the Presidential inauguration yesterday remind me of the same.

It does seem like one 'side' is much more active in rebelling against the elected officials. I don't recall the 'conservatives' knocking out windows and burning stuff when the other party was elected for 8 years.

Anyway, back to what the Gospel say, we've all got to answer for our decisions in life...praise God for His Grace and Mercy.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."